Apple sent out invitations today for a special media event to be held on Tuesday, October 23rd. The event will take place at the California Theatre in San Jose, California and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM Pacific Time / 1:00 PM Eastern Time. The invitations for the event simply read, "We've got a little more to show you." It's widely expected that Apple will be launching the iPad mini and new Macs at this event.

I might buy an iPad mini as well. As long as the cameras and screen are respectable. At least retina levels in the case of the latter. If not, I'll probably just wait it out until the 2nd gen iPad mini is released. Because I really prefer the smaller form factor over the regular iPad. In fact, I was on my way to buying the 8.9" Kindle Fire before these rumors started heating up. I had returned an iPad 3 because of issues with iOS 6.

BTW: What do you call a million dead Apple and Samsung lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?

Apple is coming out with a larger iPhone screen and a 7" iPad Mini...now who's copying who?

I think it's more of a case of following the market trend and giving the customer what they want, than it is following competitors. Although Apple typically is ahead of the curve and they usually come out with products before the market has accepted them... I think Apple is humble and smart enough to know where they can use improvement.

I'd say the increase in the iPhone size was modest and was more intended to support a widescreen format. If you've ever performed video mirroring with an iPad on a widescreen TV, you'd welcome the change.

As far as coming out with a smaller iPad. It's still yet to be seem, but even so, look at the growth in the tablet market. To only offer one size, would be similar to offering just on size in the laptop market. When laptops first came out they were all about the same size, but now there are quite a few screen size options.

Again as far as being a leader, everyone else is providing a small, cheap tablet. Apple won't compromise. To now come out with a small tablet, with a price point higher than everyone else, takes balls. It says we are good, and people want good, not cheap. Nobody else could get away with this. Apple is truly a leader in this category.